We were in Hilo for the weekend
Joanna writes:
Hi everyone. As Ben mentioned, we went to Hilo (the biggest city on the island, pretty much directly across from where we are) last weekend. It was a darn good time, even if it didn't include very much sleeping.
Catherine is taking classes in Hilo to become a Waldorf teacher, so she offered to give us a ride over (us including Esther and Killion). We drove across the northern part of the island, took us through many interesting landscapes. After Kona, the road enters a vast black moonscape of old lava flow where hundreds of people have left graffiti in pieces of bleached white coral. There are occasional stands of palm trees that look very out of place, but apparently the beaches are great, so lots of rich people live there. Then the road goes through Waimea in the northern part of the island, where the weather is absolutely ridiculous. One moment it will be beautiful and sunny, and the next there will be horizontal rain. The landscape changes to bright green honey pot hills where cattle graze, and the trees grow bent over from the wind. Then the vegetation gets much lusher and rainforesty towards Hilo, which often gets the distinction of being the rainiest place in the U.S.
We had decided to camp at a hostel just outside of Hilo, but when we got there it was, of course, raining, and the prospect seemed pretty dreary. Luckily, though, Killion had some friends attending UHilo who were having a party, and offered to let us stay on their floor. It was very strange to be at a college party again. I guess I'll just leave it at that. The next night we camped at the hostel, and were very lucky to avoid much rain.
During the day on Saturday we rented bikes and went to a large and wonderful farmers' market in town, and then to a little beach with decent swimming. In the evening there was a free shuttle to the big music festival, which turned out pretty much the whole city, I think. Some of the music was pretty good (I think we liked the buskers in the food tent better than any of the big acts, though). Afterwards we went to the $1 (!) movie theater.
Catherine had gone back on Saturday, and we were very unsure of how we were going to get back to Kealakekua. However, as Esther says, everything just works out in Hawaii. We met a couple (Rick and Isabel) at the hostel who were going to Kona anyway, and took us along in exchange for sleeping on our couch. We even got to see some of the sights around Hilo with them that we never would have gotten to, like a couple of waterfalls and a lava tube, not to mention Volcano National Park. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see any lava, as the flow had moved too far away from the viewing area. We'll try to get back there before we leave.
I'm afraid I've run out of time, and haven't even gotten to mention anything about the farm! Things are good, though--lots of planting this week. Last night we went to a party at a lettuce farm down the road (and I do mean DOWN like at least 500 feet)that also has WWOOFers. A very nice place with a big bonfire, and a beautiful night, but a little too much hippy for us in the long term. Well, I've been kicked off. More soon!
Hi everyone. As Ben mentioned, we went to Hilo (the biggest city on the island, pretty much directly across from where we are) last weekend. It was a darn good time, even if it didn't include very much sleeping.
Catherine is taking classes in Hilo to become a Waldorf teacher, so she offered to give us a ride over (us including Esther and Killion). We drove across the northern part of the island, took us through many interesting landscapes. After Kona, the road enters a vast black moonscape of old lava flow where hundreds of people have left graffiti in pieces of bleached white coral. There are occasional stands of palm trees that look very out of place, but apparently the beaches are great, so lots of rich people live there. Then the road goes through Waimea in the northern part of the island, where the weather is absolutely ridiculous. One moment it will be beautiful and sunny, and the next there will be horizontal rain. The landscape changes to bright green honey pot hills where cattle graze, and the trees grow bent over from the wind. Then the vegetation gets much lusher and rainforesty towards Hilo, which often gets the distinction of being the rainiest place in the U.S.
We had decided to camp at a hostel just outside of Hilo, but when we got there it was, of course, raining, and the prospect seemed pretty dreary. Luckily, though, Killion had some friends attending UHilo who were having a party, and offered to let us stay on their floor. It was very strange to be at a college party again. I guess I'll just leave it at that. The next night we camped at the hostel, and were very lucky to avoid much rain.
During the day on Saturday we rented bikes and went to a large and wonderful farmers' market in town, and then to a little beach with decent swimming. In the evening there was a free shuttle to the big music festival, which turned out pretty much the whole city, I think. Some of the music was pretty good (I think we liked the buskers in the food tent better than any of the big acts, though). Afterwards we went to the $1 (!) movie theater.
Catherine had gone back on Saturday, and we were very unsure of how we were going to get back to Kealakekua. However, as Esther says, everything just works out in Hawaii. We met a couple (Rick and Isabel) at the hostel who were going to Kona anyway, and took us along in exchange for sleeping on our couch. We even got to see some of the sights around Hilo with them that we never would have gotten to, like a couple of waterfalls and a lava tube, not to mention Volcano National Park. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see any lava, as the flow had moved too far away from the viewing area. We'll try to get back there before we leave.
I'm afraid I've run out of time, and haven't even gotten to mention anything about the farm! Things are good, though--lots of planting this week. Last night we went to a party at a lettuce farm down the road (and I do mean DOWN like at least 500 feet)that also has WWOOFers. A very nice place with a big bonfire, and a beautiful night, but a little too much hippy for us in the long term. Well, I've been kicked off. More soon!
posted by Ben and Jo at 5:42 PM
1 Comments:
I like the horizontal rain! Well, I like hearing about it, not experiencing it. Sounds like you guys are having more adventures now. Prets exciting. I'm having job interviews, which is exciting in a different way.
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